by College of Arts and Social Sciences
The prestigious Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL), or the Writers’ Union of the Philippines, awarded this year’s Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas for Dula sa Filipino to MSU-IIT Professor and IPAG Artistic Director Steven Patrick C. Fernandez.
The award recognizes the significant contributions of Filipino writers to Philippine Literature in all languages.
The award was presented to Fernandez by National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, UMPIL President Katrina Belasco, and sculptor Manuel Baldemor who created the trophies. Almario interrupted Fernandez before the awardee could begin his acceptance speech by announcing to the applauding audience what Fernandez has been currently preoccupied with in shaping the national Humanities curriculum for Filipino teachers.
Attending the event were the most prestigious writers of Philippine Literature.
With Fernandez in this eminent roster are: Lamberto G. Ceballos (Tula at Kathang Cebuano), Querubin D. Fernandez, Jr. (Tulang Kapampangan), Luis Francia (Essay in English), Eulalio R. Guieb III (Kathang Filipino), Nilo P. Pamonag (Tula at Kathang Hiligaynon), Jose Victor Peñaranda (Poetry in English), and Lorenzo G. Tabin (Tula at Kathang Ilocano).
The awarding at the U.P. College of Mass Communication Auditorium culminated the 2014 UMPIL Pambansang Kumperensiya held August 30.
Fernandez is a multi-awarded artist who, besides winning First Prize in the Palanca and other literary awards from the CCP, and the U.P. Likhaan was also awarded the CCP Pilak, the Francisco Demetrio Award, and the SM Global Pinoy. Contributed news for OC-OPI
Topics : ipag arts and culture